Should I Visit Dakar or Fort-de-France for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Dakar or Fort-de-France?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dakar or Fort-de-France, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Dakar or Fort-de-France?

Dakar

Located in West Africa, Dakar is the capital city of Senegal and an Atlantic port on the Cap-Vert peninsula. Main attractions include the city's markets, the Dakar Grand Mosque, Goree Island, the IFAN Museum, the African Renaissance Monument, beaches, and the Senegal Zoo.

Fort-de-France

As the largest city and capital of Martinique, Fort-de-France serves as the main entryway for visitors traveling to the island. It is a busy city with a significant population, which creates an atmosphere bustling with traffic amidst its historic and cultural sights.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.

Which place is cheaper, Fort-de-France or Dakar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

Dakar Prices
Senegal Prices

Fort-de-France Prices
Martinique Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Dakar $61

Fort-de-France $163

The average daily cost (per person) in Dakar is $61, while the average daily cost in Fort-de-France is $163. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Dakar and Fort-de-France in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Dakar $32

Fort-de-France $84
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Dakar $64

Fort-de-France $168

Compare Hotels in Dakar and Fort-de-France

Looking for a hotel in Dakar or Fort-de-France? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.

Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Fort-de-France Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Dakar $5.37

Fort-de-France $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:

Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $211
Transfer - Dakar <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $197
DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $120
Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $82
Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $66
AIBD-DAKAR transfer: $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort-de-France

Also for Fort-de-France, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

Fort de France to Martinique Airport (FDF) - Departure Transfer: $66
Private Transfer from Fort de France to Fort de France Port: $71
Private Transfer from Martinique Airport to Fort de France Port: $71
Private transfer Fort de France Airport to and from Les Trois Ilets: $103

Is it cheaper to fly into Dakar or Fort-de-France?

Prices for flights to both Fort-de-France and Dakar change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.

Food

Food Meals for one day

Dakar $20

Fort-de-France $62

Typical Food Prices in Dakar

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:

Breakfast

$4.11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dakar

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dakar.

Senegalese Street Food Tour in Dakar: $115

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort-de-France

For Fort-de-France, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

Food tour in the rainforest and St Pierre - Pile et Face: $104
Private Food Tour of Martinique in Fort-de-France: $199

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Dakar $14

Fort-de-France $33

Tours and Activities in Dakar

Here are a few actual costs in Dakar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour): $130
2-day tour Lac rose- desert of Lompoul: $290
Accro Baobab Adventure Ticket Entry: $38
Dakar City Tour and Goree Island: $162
Pink Lake and Turtle Village Half-Day Tour: $200
Private City Tour: $109
Private custom tour with a local guide: $30
Day trip Goree island and Dakar city tour : $159
From Dakar or Saly: Half-Day Tour to Pink Lake: $138
From Dakar/Saly: Half-Day Bandia Wildlife Reserve Tour: $247
Full Day Goree Island And Dakar City Tour(Minimum 2 Participants): $142
Full Day Private Tour in move, eat, act like a local: $109

Tours and Activities in Fort-de-France

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fort-de-France.

Habitation Clement - entrance ticket: $15
Admission Ticket Balata's Garden: $19
Small train tour of a banana farm in Martinique: $22
Fort-de-France Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $26
Mangrove Guided Tour: $43
Martinique: The Jewels of the Southern Caribbean Tour: $63
Martinique: Coral and Turtle Coves Cruise with Snacks: $65
Fort-de-France Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour: $65
Karaib Tour: $66
Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $75
Martinique Shore Excursion - Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $75
Martinique Shore Excursion - Unmissable Martinique North tour: $75

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Dakar $9.00

Fort-de-France $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Fort-de-France

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort-de-France:

Small-Group Tour: Unmissable Martinique with Rum Distillery, Ruins, and More: $75
North Tour: rainforest, rum distillery, black sand beach etc: $120

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dakar and Fort-de-France, we can see that Fort-de-France is more expensive. And not only is Dakar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dakar is in Africa and Fort-de-France is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Dakar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dakar and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Fort-de-France would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fort-de-France than you might in Dakar.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dakar Expensive? and Is Fort-de-France Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dakar or Fort-de-France?

Dakar has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Fort-de-France. When comparing the sizes of Dakar and Fort-de-France, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dakar vs. Fort-de-France for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons